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Hamas removes picture of Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza

Hamas removed all signs that show an affiliation to the Muslim Brotherhood in a surprising move that the London-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper linked to the latest meeting between the movement and Egyptian intelligence, Al-Mesryoon reported yesterday.

According to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, informed sources said that Hamas’s internal committees removed signs on walls, public and private institutions as well as mosques.

A very large poster of the Qatari Emir, Turkish president and Hamas leaders, which used to hang in the centre of Gaza City has also been removed.

The poster was replaced with a message that reads: “The Palestinian resistance does not aim its arms abroad… The resistance aims to liberate Palestine… The resistance does not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs,” in an apparent message to Egypt.

Al-Mesryoon said that these steps came after Egypt demanded Hamas announces its disengagement from the Muslim Brotherhood, keep away from Egypt’s internal affairs, not interfere in Sinai, cooperation with Egyptian investigations regarding national security issues, ban Salafists from entering or leaving Gaza, control its borders, monitor tunnels and prevent smuggling.

Remarks by Hamas leaders reiterated these conditions in their speeches following meetings the Egyptian intelligence officials.

Hamas has been trying to improve its relations with Egypt after they deteriorated in the wake of the military coup against the first freely elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

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